MLB Player News

The Tigers signed Pilkington to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Pilkington elected free agency last week after being booted off the Nationals' 40-man roster and has quickly latched on with a new organization. The southpaw put up a 4.45 ERA and 34:17 K:BB over 28.1 innings with Washington last season and is likely ticketed for the Triple-A Toledo bullpen to begin the 2026 season.

The Angels re-signed Strickland (shoulder) to a minor-league contract Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Strickland missed the entire second half of the 2025 season with a right shoulder strain and it's unclear what his current health status is. The veteran reliever held a 3.27 ERA in 19 appearances for the Angels before getting hurt, but a 14:10 K:BB in 22 innings didn't make a pretty picture. If healthy, Strickland could eventually work his way into a middle-relief role for the Halos, but an initial stint at Triple-A Salt Lake is likely.

Hader (shoulder) has been throwing lightly on flat ground and the Astros expect to have a better idea as to his status by the middle of this week, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

Earlier in the offseason, Hader -- who missed the final seven-plus weeks of last season with a left shoulder strain -- told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle that he felt "back to normal" and had been throwing off a mound. This latest update suggests there's less certainty about the closer's health, however. If it turns out that Hader had a setback or simply isn't ready, Bryan Abreu would be next in line for saves in the Houston bullpen.

The Yankees acquired Schuemann from the Athletics in exchange for minor-league RHP Luis Burgos on Monday.

Schuemann was designated for assignment by the Athletics last week and will now head to New York to compete for a reserve infielder job this spring. Schuemann has slashed .212/.306/.297 with nine home runs, 47 RBI, 75 runs scored, 21 stolen bases and a 69:154 BB:K across 672 big-league plate appearances since making his MLB debut in 2024.

Stanton's tennis elbow in both arms has not healed and will be managed again during the upcoming season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton didn't make his season debut until mid-June last year because of the elbow issues, but he was very good when on the field, slashing .273/.350/.594 with 24 home runs across 77 regular-season contests. He does not seem to be in any danger of a late start to the season again, but the Yankees will keep close tabs on Stanton in camp and during the regular season. The 36-year-old will be the Yanks' primary designated hitter again in 2026.

The Yankees designated Fernandez for assignment Monday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Fernandez was claimed off waivers from the Rockies earlier this month after he was DFA'd by Colorado in January. The 23-year-old outfielder slashed just .225/.265/.348 with a lofty strikeout rate across his first 147 big-league plate appearances last season.

Rays pitching coach Kyle Snyder said Monday that McClanahan (triceps) has looked "really, really good" this offseason and is being "totally built up to start with the expectation" he'll be in Tampa Bay's rotation, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

"The last six or eight weeks have been really, really good," Snyder said. "I think we'll consider the math in terms of the season and where he slots, but he's being totally built up to start, with the expectation that he'll be in our rotation." McClanahan hasn't thrown a regular-season pitch for the Rays since the 2023 campaign and was limited to just two rehab starts last season before eventually requiring season-ending surgery to repair a nerve issue in his triceps in August. McClanahan carries significant risk but also has immense upside as a fantasy target.

Gonzalez dealt with left shoulder inflammation much of the offseason and is expected to be limited at the start of spring training, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Gonzalez initially injured his left shoulder in the final series of the regular season against the Tigers back in September before going 1-for-9 at the plate in the wild-card series loss to the Yankees. Gonzalez didn't require any sort of offseason surgery but did receive a PRP injection after experiencing discomfort after swinging the bat in January. Gonzalez is aiming to be ready for Opening Day and is once again expected to fill a utility role for Boston this season.

The Rays signed Martinez to a one-year, $13 million contract Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Martinez will turn 36 years old later this summer and pitched in 40 games for the Reds last season, making 26 starts. He posted a 4.45 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 116:42 K:BB across a career-high 165.2 innings. Capable of starting or working out of the bullpen, Martinez is expected to be part of the Rays' rotation, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Duran might not start against left-handed pitchers this season, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com speculates.

The Red Sox haven't been able to trade from their glut of outfielders this offseason and appear motivated to give Wilyer Abreu an opportunity to play every day, which means Duran could get squeezed out of an everyday role. The left-handed-hitting Duran slashed only .211/.260/.340 over 209 regular-season plate appearances against southpaw hurlers in 2025.